Mining officials say the 44 year old worked in the mines for 15 years and was a roof bolter.

Tuesday night he died while just doing his job.

Officials estimate the rock that fell on Yates was at least 20 feet wide and ten feet long.

Mining officials say three other workers were in the mine at the same time, but they were not injured.

At this time they don't know what caused the accident.

Mining officials say they are continuing to try and make the mines safer.

This was Kentucky's first mining fatality of 2006.

Governor Fletcher said that he was saddened to learn about the mining accident.

The governor said,"Our goal is to bring about change, so that every miner returns home at the end of a shift. Toward that end, we have added additional mine safety inspectors and intensified our training efforts. We have increased the numbers of inspections and closure orders in the past two years. We will continue to explore every avenue to improve miner safety in Kentucky."

My question is for any firefighter who has or could response to a mining accident that may have miner trappment in the mine.What role does your department play in that type of rescue.Does the mine company request your assitance.Do you train with mine rescue teams or is it up to the mine company personel to rescue there own.Do they use the ICS.

responding to mine accdents

Im a coal miner and a volunteer fire fighter in western ky my mines has its own rescue crew the fire dpts are on stand by in case we need them we have our own fire birgade and rescue crew I work at Ken American Resources in central city kentucky